Highlights Archive

America ReFramed “Fannie Lou Hamer’s America • WXXI-TV

The remarkable life of a fearless Mississippi sharecropper-turned-human-rights-activist.

America ReFramed “Fannie Lou Hamer’s America” airs Saturday, March 29 at 3 p.m. on WXXI-TV.

Fannie Lou Hamer’s America is a portrait of a civil rights activist and the injustices in America that made her work essential. Through public speeches, personal interviews, and powerful songs of the fearless Mississippi sharecropper-turned-human-rights-activist, Fannie Lou Hamer’s America explores and celebrates the lesser-known life of one of the Civil Rights Movement’s greatest leaders.

Note: On January 4, 2025 Mrs. Fannie Lou Hamer became the posthumous recipient of The Presidential Medal of Freedom. President Joe Biden presents the Medal to Doris Hamer Richardson, who accepted on behalf of her aunt, Fannie Lou Hamer. As one of the executive producers who worked on the “Fannie Lou Hamer’s America,” WXXI President & CEO Chris Hastings attended the ceremony.

Photo below from the Presidential Medal of Freedom event: Jed, Harriett and Salam Oppenheim, Selena Lauterer, President Joseph R. Biden, Doris Hamer Richardson, First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, Angela Hamer Johnson, Chris and Miles Hastings and Hillary Rosenfeld. Photo courtesy of the White House.

Dreams of Hope • WXXI-TV

This concert documentary tells the story of a historic performance at the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, more than 50 years after a hate crime there killed four African American girls.

Dreams of Hope airs Sunday, February 2 at 1 p.m. WXXI-TV

An initiative called Violins of Hope contributed painstakingly restored musical instruments to the event, including violins recovered from Holocaust concentration camps, which serve as symbols of resilience in the face of hate, discrimination and racism.

With a captivating storyline written by filmmaker David L. Macon, “Dreams of Hope” blends concert performance footage with behind-the-scenes interviews chronicling the event’s preparation and reflecting on its significance.

Broadway’s Brightest Lights • WXXI-TV

Grab a front-row seat at a concert featuring new arrangements and timeless renditions of some of the greatest show tunes of musical theatre.

Broadway’s Brightest Lights • WXXI-TV airs Friday, January 24 at 9:30 p.m. WXXI-TV

Broadway’s Brightest Lights shines the spotlight on some of today’s best and brightest talents. Curated and conducted by Luke Frazier, the concert features Tony Award-winning Broadway star Megan Hilty alongside Michael Maliakel, Nikki Renée Daniels, and Tommy Sutter with The American Pops Orchestra. Highlighting some of the greatest show tunes, from Golden Age classics to modern musicals, each song features brand-new arrangements and timeless renditions to be enjoyed by Broadway fans of all ages.

Performances in Broadway’s Brightest Lights include “Popular” (Megan Hilty), “The Trolley Song” (Tommy Sutter), “Being Alive” (Michael Maliakel), “I Dreamed A Dream” (Nikki Renée Daniels), “Suddenly Seymour” (Michael Maliakel and Megan Hilty) and many more.

Photo: Michael Maliakel, Megan Hilty, and Luke Hawkins.Credit: Elman Studio.

Special Coverage of the Inauguration of Donald J. Trump • WXXI-TV and WXXI News

WXXI brings you live coverage of Inauguration Day 2025.

On Monday, January 20th PBS News coverage begins at 10:30 a.m. on WXXI-TV and NPR coverage begins at 11 a.m. on WXXI News.

PBS News coverage will be co-anchored by Amna Nawaz and Geoff Bennett, with reporting from PBS News Hour White House correspondent Laura Barrón-López at the White House, Capitol Hill correspondent Lisa Desjardins at the Capitol, and senior correspondent Judy Woodruff. Analysis will be provided by editor-in-chief of the Cook Political Report Amy Walter, Washington Post associate editor Jonathan Capehart and New York Times op-ed columnist David Brooks.

NPR will provide live, anchored Special Coverage of the ceremonies on WXXI News (FM 105.9 and WXXINews.org).

“Connections with Evan Dawson” • Weekdays 12-2pm on WXXI News + YouTube

Now you can catch this live weekday talk show on YouTube!

“Connections with Evan Dawson” airs weekdays from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. on air, streaming online, and now on YouTube.

To expand its reach and increase community dialogue around issues that matter most, “Connections with Evan Dawson,” WXXI News‘ daily talk radio show streams live on YouTube every weekday from noon to 2 p.m.

Watch live: yo utube.com/@WXXINews
Listen live: WXXI-FM 105.9 (Rochester) + WEOS 89.3/90.3 FM (Finger Lakes), WXXInews.org + weos.org
On-Demand: youtube.com/@WXXINews and on the PBS Player

Evan Dawson talks about what matters to you on Connections, every weekday from noon-2 p.m. Be part of the program with questions or comments by phone at 1-844-295-TALK (8255), email, Facebook or Twitter/X.

Do you have a story that needs to be shared? Pitch your story to Connections.

Find out what’s coming up and to listen to past shows.

POV “Minted” • WXXI-WORLD

The rise and fall of the NFT (non-fungible token) phenomenon that transformed the art world.

POV “Minted” airs Sunday, January 12 at 10 p.m. on WXXI-WORLD

An insider’s look at the rise and fall of the NFT (non-fungible token) phenomenon and how technology transformed the traditional art world, for better and worse. Featuring verité footage and candid interviews with groundbreaking artists—like Beeple, Latasha Alcindor, and Loish— at the center of this phenomenon, Minted delves into the complex world of the $40 billion NFT digital art market.

POV: Fire Through Dry Grass • WXXI-WORLD

Wearing snapback caps and Air Jordans, the Reality Poets aren’t typical nursing home residents.

POV: Fire Through Dry Grass airs Monday, January 13 at 7 p.m. on WXXI-WORLD

In Fire Through Dry Grass, these young, Black and brown disabled artists document their lives on lockdown during COVID, their rhymes underscoring the danger and imprisonment they feel. In the face of institutional neglect, they refuse to be abused, confined, and erased.

This program is presented as part of Dialogue on Disability, a partnership between WXXI and Al Sigl Community of Agencies – in conjunction with the Herman and Margaret Schwartz Community Series. Dialogue on Disability is supported by the Fred L. Emerson Foundation with additional support from The Golisano Foundation. The weeklong initiative runs January 13-19, 2025

WXXI and Al Sigl have been hosting Dialogue on Disability since 2005. In 2014, with the support of businessman and philanthropist Tom Golisano and the Golisano Foundation, Move to Include™ was formed. This initiative enables WXXI to present and develop programming that promotes inclusion year round.

Photo: Reality Poets Vince, Jay, Tito, Pete, and Var • Credit: Elias Williams

Tell Me More with Kelly Corrigan “Judy Woodruff” • WXXI-TV

Broadcast journalist Judy Woodruff reflects on her perspectives on the changing American political landscape and raising a child with spina bifida.

Tell Me More with Kelly Corrigan “Judy Woodruff” airs Friday, January 17 at 8:30 p.m. on WXXI-TV and streaming on the WXXI app.

For five decades, Judy Woodruff has delivered exceptional coverage of politics to the American public. In this episode, she reflects on her career highlights, her perspectives on the changing American political landscape, and raising a child with spina bifida.